I had a great walk around the course with my Dad (who is injured at the moment) and thoroughly enjoyed the light that we had early on when there was a bit of mist. Thanks to everyone who turned out, I’m not sure how many there were but it looked like around 20. The mince pies were scoffed (my mum’s pies were spot on and very tasty because my dad broke the habit of a lifetime and bought the decent mince filling!). We managed to get rid of all the left-overs as well! There wasn’t much opportunity for a good chat afterwards as the weather deteriorated into cold rain but at least it mostly held off for the duration of the run/walk. I’ll see you all during 2014 when I honestly aim to try and get back and do a bit!! I’ve added a few images to the gallery (Boxing Day Run 2013) that I grabbed on my way round……hope you enjoy and any comments are, as always, gladly received.

Please note the Clougha Pike races are to be held on Saturday 21st June, (and not the 28th June as indicated in the Fell Runner Magazine Autumn Edition). The details in the calendar website and fixtures calendar have been updated. More information will appear on the Bowland Fellrunner Website in due course.

255 runners are on the starting line with a mighty 15 GandOs. It’s a tight squeeze for us all on the narrow lane, and the chaotic start is not helped by one or two stood right at the very front who know they shouldn’t be there. I’ll not name them but it is minx-ish as they create mayhem behind.

The tough road section starts downhill so its very quick and then goes into a 5 minute climb which gets the lactic acid going in your legs. It’s impossible to not go out too quickly. By the time you hit the fell you’re gasping for air, everyone around me is straining. I can see the Chorley vest of Darren 30 yards ahead so I think I’ve overdone it. Going up to The Knott though, Darren is suddenly right in front of me, he’s obviously not in top form but it encourages me a little. Later he explains that he’s suffering from his hamstring, which really does slow you down.

Over the checkpoint and down a nice, fast descent, which is where Graham says I start to pull away from him. Funny that, as I think climbing is my stronger point. You have good days and you have bad days I suppose. Feeling good I steam ahead to Stickle Pike and see a rival, Billy Proctor, descending it quickly. He’s on form I think to myself and he’s going to take some catching. Also just ahead of me is Chris Jackson, gangly youth of a previous epistle, whom I’m surprised to be so close to. Chris makes a muck of the descent and I steal into the lead on him, which he never gets back. First time I’ve bested him this year I think. Billy though is some 300 yards off. I get my head down over this flattish section as is my wont and don’t look up for a few minutes, have I lost or gained ground, gained I think. Possibilities here I say to myself, and a good target to keep me working hard. The ground is surprisingly firm given the recent wet weather, probably firmer than I’ve ever run it; I think there’ll be some quick times. Richard has a ding-dong with Pudsey’s Gary Devine, over here from his business in the south of France, building a garage for someone in Ulverston. Gary bests him by a few seconds and its probably Rich’s gammy ankle that slows him a little. Mark Chip is a minute behind Rich, which is a reversal of earlier form.

Approaching Great Stickle, the final checkpoint, I can see Billy has stretched his lead on me, damn, thought he was fair game for a short while there. Then going over Great Stickle I ignore the flags for some reason and lose precious seconds stuttering down through the crags. Game over as far as Billy and me are concerned, it’s a fast finish from here on in and I’m not going to catch him. Fair dues though, I think that’s the first time in a while for him; he must have been doing some proper training lately. I keep my spot from here to the finish, Darren storming back as his hamstring loosens up but not quite quick enough for our little tete a tete. Graham halves the time from last week between us, he’s determined to catch this Irish sod before the year’s out methinks.

The sun comes out nicely at the finish and is quite warming on our backs for a while. A fantastic cup of tea and a pie in the hall afterwards and then, it is Cumbria, we listen to the deluge outside while waiting on prize-giving. Richard and Mark win V40 prizes and Nick wins the V60. But the best performance of the day surely goes to Ruth T who took 10 minutes off last year’s time. Now that takes some doing, well done Ruth. Martin’s erroneous pace-making obviously working wonders; he thought Ruth was nip and tuck on last year’s time and so egged her on to a brilliant round.

A windy day on the moors above Tod for club champs #10. The traffic was a nightmare and some of those trying to avoid the queues in Todmorden via the top road were in for a nasty shock when they discovered 300 odd runners parked on the roadsides! Add a bus and a horsebox and a bit of colourful language. The race is a cracker - fast start then proper cross country through muddy tracks and out over the wet moorland. A steep drop before a final steady climb and a muddy slither back down the start route. The rain held off for most of the race but the wind was fierce. 7 Bowlanders managed to park their cars and register with Declan taking the MV55 prize.

Well done to both Bowland Women and Male Vet40 teams at the weekend UKA relay in Llanberis

The weather was very wet but the superb organisation ensured over 1000 runners and their supporters were well cared for.

Leg 3, the navigation leg again proved decisive for the overall race with many of the top teams going wandering again but the Hardings brought both Bowland teams safely round the course, although Sue nearly came a cropper at the end (see photo below!).

The Womens team came in 21st overall in 6:19:47

Leg 1: Rachel Somerville54:15

Leg 2: Rowena Browne & Zoe Harding 1:45:29

Leg 3: Sue Harding & Sarah Sherratt 2:27:05

Leg 4: Emma Gregory 1:12:58

The MV40 team came in 5th overall in 4:49:43

Leg 1: Clive Davis42:00

Leg 2: Chris Reade & Mark Chippendale1:32:33

Leg 3: Quentin Harding & Paul Neild1:38:51

Leg 4: Declan O'Duffy56:19

Rowena and Zoe Paul and Quentin enjoying the muddy descent

Splashdown! Sue obliged the crowds gathered at the bottom of the muddy slope...

A fantastic performance yesterday saw the Bowland MV40 team finishing a very respectable 9th position overall and 2nd MV40 team in the 2013 Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay. The prize of OMM stretch tights all round will be sported by the team now!

On a very claggy, wet day Clive initiated Declan to Leg 1 - and how to get in pole position on the start line. Declan reckoned he was in oxygen debt after half a mile but hung on and with Clive's route finding they finished an excellent 17th. Paul and Mark shot off into the clag with Paul's Monday recce paying dividends as many of the top teams in front of them got lost - with Ambleside Vets being the pick of the bunch. By the end of the leg we were up to 14th. Chris and Leigh found their way through the clag, trying desperately not to be followed by others and picked up another place before Rich and Steve on Leg 4 benefited from being passed by the Bingley pair of Jebb and Holmes to lead them off Fairfield on a sneaky route. Catching up the 4 teams in front they hung on to the blue and white train for as long as possible before having to let go and find the descent to the finish themselves.

From 2006 the Arenig Fawr race was run as a medium 6.7 mile race. During that time I have always wanted to extend the route to include Arenig’s neighbour Moel Llyfnant and was never happy with the start being one mile away from the race headquarters.
This year the race was changed. It started and finished at the Arenig quarry. Moel Llyfnant was included, the distance was increased to 13km (8.1 miles) and the overall climb was almost doubled. There was a small field of 33 runners. Weather conditions were almost perfect: dry, clear and breezy.
The Arenig race has never been very popular with Bowland runners due to the long drive needed to get there. This time four of the best turned up, Richard, Leigh, Graham and Ian Cookson.
The leading positions were closely contested and Richard, map in hand, was the outright winner, setting a record for the new course of 1:34:06. Leigh was in 6th position, Graham in 9th and Ian in 20th. There was the usual congenial post race get together with refreshments, food, homemade cakes and prizes for everyone. In addition to the regular helpers Ian and Pat and Wynn and Steve, Ali joined us to marshal at Checkpoint 1 and sweep the course. Thank you all.
Yiannis

Chris had offered out to the club to organise an Open team for next weekends IHMR but in the absence of any willing volunteers has organised a Vet 40 team;

Current team is-

Leg1 Clive and Declan or Leigh W

Leg 2 Steve Swarbrick & Paul Neild

Leg 3 Chris and Leigh W / Declan

Leg 4 Richard / Mark Chip

This will be a poignant occasion being one year since Darren Holloway passed away.

We have two teams entered in the UKA Relays in Llanberis in October, a Womens team and a MV40 team. Jen has organised the Womens team and Richard is organising the Male team - teams to follow when they are confirmed.

Would anyone be willing to organise a Bowland team for next May's Calderdale Relay? It clashes with the Coniston fell race (an English champs race next year i think) but it would be good to put a team into this event again. Email if you are interested!!

Mark and Steve Swarbrick have raved about thie one for a few years and with Chris joining the party last year, I decided it was about time to pop my Ben Cherry. Steve Sweeney joined the line up and the Walsh brothers completed the Bowland Team for what was their 14th and 16th races respectively I think. However, with 484 on the start line the orange and green was drowned out by the 50 or so Lochaber runners and about 30 odd from Wharfdale. The Pipe band started up and we were led round the start field to be set off by Jimmy on the occasion of his 40th Ben race.

Having poured with rain all morning the sun decided to make an appearance for the race itrself and we all ditched the thermals before dashing off round the shinty field and out along the road heading for the tourist track. 1350 metres to climb so steady away I thought - but hang on, Mark and Steve are hurtling up the road casting tourists left right and centre so I'd better make an effort. It soon hits the rocky path and there's no let up of pace as we climb up and up. I stupidly look at my altimeter - still two thirds of the height to go so I decide not to look again. I climb more steadily and go past Steve before the big loop right and then the real steep stuff next to the Red Burn. Angela Mudge pases me as if I'm standing still and I start to make more of an effort but surely we must be nearly there? Race leader Finlay Wild passes me so I'm thinking it can't be far to the top, right? Several more false summits, then Mark comes dashing past, then several more and finally I'm at the top and it's my turn to try to dance past tourists down the descent path.

I'm concentrating so hard on not falling over the rocks that Ilose the line several times but finally I pick up someone who clearly knows the way and follow him from one scree chute to the next. I see Mark in the distance and we swing hard left to hit the top of the grassy bank I've been warned about. Think "top of the parachute route" but about five times longer and a bit steeper - however I pass Mark and then come across Angela who is not enjoying life so I must be doing ok. Back over the burn and onto the stony path again but the legs are protesting so I look for every bit of mud I can find to cushion the blows, all the time waiting for Stevie B to come whizzing past as usual. Eventually down to the road, about a mile to go and I'm in a race with Nigel Wood from Coniston who somehow seems to be able to accelerate whereas I can barely lift a knee. Into the final field and when I hear my name on the tannoy I try to look like a proper runner in front of the crowds and not some wimpy sassenach who cannae tek his moontins.

Mark arrives having got his best time yet, then it's Steve ... Sweeney with Chris not far behind. Stevie B has apparently turned his ankle on the descent and comes limping in later somewhat annoyed. We stand around chatting in the sunshine until the heavens open and the tail end of the race gets a proper soaking whilst we're scoffing sarnies and cake in the tent.The craic goes on well into the evening and after the presentations to everyone in Lochaber and Ian Holmes for his 21st race we're off to the pub to see if we can get Chris to buy his round.

Well worth the drive, well worth the effort - I suspect we'll be going to this one for many years to come but maybe not 40.

Mark and Steve Swarbrick have raved about thie one for a few years and with Chris joining the party last year, I decided it was about time to pop my Ben Cherry. Steve Sweeney joined the line up and the Walsh brothers completed the Bowland Team for what was their 14th and 16th races respectively I think. However, with 484 on the start line the orange and green was drowned out by the 50 or so Lochaber runners and about 30 odd from Wharfdale. The Pipe band started up and we were led round the start field to be set off by Jimmy on the occasion of his 40th Ben race.

Having poured with rain all morning the sun decided to make an appearance for the race itrself and we all ditched the thermals before dashing off round the shinty field and out along the road heading for the tourist track. 1350 metres to climb so steady away I thought - but hang on, Mark and Steve are hurtling up the road casting tourists left right and centre so I'd better make an effort. It soon hits the rocky path and there's no let up of pace as we climb up and up. I stupidly look at my altimeter - still two thirds of the height to go so I decide not to look again. I climb more steadily and go past Steve before the big loop right and then the real steep stuff next to the Red Burn. Angela Mudge pases me as if I'm standing still and I start to make more of an effort but surely we must be nearly there? Race leader Finlay Wild passes me so I'm thinking it can't be far to the top, right? Several more false summits, then Mark comes dashing past, then several more and finally I'm at the top and it's my turn to try to dance past tourists down the descent path.

I'm concentrating so hard on not falling over the rocks that Ilose the line several times but finally I pick up someone who clearly knows the way and follow him from one scree chute to the next. I see Mark in the distance and we swing hard left to hit the top of the grassy bank I've been warned about. Think "top of the parachute route" but about five times longer and a bit steeper - however I pass Mark and then come across Angela who is not enjoying life so I must be doing ok. Back over the burn and onto the stony path again but the legs are protesting so I look for every bit of mud I can find to cushion the blows, all the time waiting for Stevie B to come whizzing past as usual. Eventually down to the road, about a mile to go and I'm in a race with Nigel Wood from Coniston who somehow seems to be able to accelerate whereas I can barely lift a knee. Into the final field and when I hear my name on the tannoy I try to look like a proper runner in front of the crowds and not some wimpy sassenach who cannae tek his moontins.

Mark arrives having got his best time yet, then it's Steve ... Sweeney with Chris not far behind. Stevie B has apparently turned his ankle on the descent and comes limping in later somewhat annoyed. We stand around chatting in the sunshine until the heavens open and the tail end of the race gets a proper soaking whilst we're scoffing sarnies and cake in the tent.The craic goes on well into the evening and after the presentations to everyone in Lochaber and Ian Holmes for his 21st race we're off to the pub to see if we can get Chris to buy his round.

Well worth the drive, well worth the effort - I suspect we'll be going to this one for many years to come but maybe not 40.

With a field of 50 runners, Orange and Green was the dominant colour but unfortunately for the lads, Danny Hope was out for another training run to take the victory!

This is a tough little race with leg sapping fields, steep climbs, rocky traverses and fast downhills ... a technical punch or two is delivered. The club dominated the prizes, just not the main ones this year with Caitlin Rice of Glossopdale taking victory in the Ladies race.

I've never been to the village of Loweswater before and the views up Buttermere I think rival those in Wasdale. The race looked tough on paper, and did not disappoint. 22 miles and just shy of 3000m of climbing with some interesting route choices. A good training run for Wasdale apparently but on some unknown ground it felt more difficult. Team Borrowdale had been out and done a good job of reccying, filling 6 of the top ten places with the evergreen Simon Booth showing the young pretenders how to do it. Looking at some of their routes on Strava today there are some cunning trods through the heather, particularly in the last few miles to try to find next year! I'll definitely not be going down the path at the side of Scale Force again with its rock steps to snare cramping legs. I had to dash home from the finish so didn't get the full story from the Bowland team of Mike, Dave, Leigh and Pete but the fact Mike had to walk the last 100 metres up the hill to the finish (after having passed the pub .... surely a necessary change next year) speaks volumes.

This race was dedicated to Darren Holloway and he'd certainly have enjoyed it. Full results at

Maybe it was the draw of the English champs race at Buckden Pike, or the reports from last year of having to be able to swim across raging torrents, or the reports from last year of visits to Eskdale, Hardknott, 3 shires stone etc .......

Anyway, a "select" crowd turned out for this tough Lakeland race - only 13 miles but with 7000ft of ascent and plenty of route choice it is one for the connoisseurs. Graham can't stop racing at the moment and he and Leigh were already at Stool End farm when we arrived in Mike's new-ish space ship with our own special guest star, Terry Houston. We'd avoided the predicted chaos of the Great North Swim by a devious route and even managed to pick up a log for the burner on the way so the day was off to a good start.

With the clag firmly down on the tops and forecasts of rain, 55 set off up the Band although only 53 made it to the top of Bowfell. Multiple routes were taken but none seemed distinctly faster and the pattern was set for the race. There was much bunching in the clag to find the route off Bowfell and at one point I was headed for the wrong top on Great End when Jon Helme crossed my path at 90 degrees on his way down - kindly pointing out my error. So, no surprises, by Scafell Pike there was a good bunch with Mike and I firmly in it all watching each other carefully. We struggled to find the cut down and ended up by the stretcher box, then struggled to get the traverse into foxes tarn gulley until we spotted the marshall. By Scafell, we were all together again, one happy(ish) family. With the clag as thick as ever we kept erring on the side of caution and probably descended too close to the ridge but it was safe and we got the checkpoint at Sleightside spot on - unlike leader Jon Helme who appeared behind us!

Mike and Chris had spent the journey up trying to explain their cunning "buttress" route down into the Great Moss but I was glad to have Mike with me as guide as we disappeared into ever steepening ground. Those following expressed their concern but Mike leapt down at great speed and we were soon racing down perfect scree at the bottom, in the lead we reckoned ... except where did that lad come from way down there?

The next checkpoint is a long way off but I was climbing well .... or so I thought until Joe Blackett caught me on the next climb and then dropped me on the climb up Blisco! Mike wasn't too far behind but I could see Steve Birkinshaw had caught him up - last seen on Scafell. The descent off Blisco is brutal and I bottled the longer route too early, ending up in the rocky steps and heather, damn. Finally emerging onto the steep grassy cone to the river I could see the two infront now but I'd gained nothing on them and so it finished. 3rd overall but happy with a time under 3 hours. All down though to Mike and Chris - if only I could make their Wednesday reccies!

Mike came in 5th, then Graham followed immediately by Chris, then Leigh and lastly Terry - he'd enjoyed his day and had only done the race because it visited Sleightside which was one of the Wainrights he needed to bag. Unfortunately, with the checkpoint not on the actual summit he'll have to go back again.....

Warm sunshine greeted the runners at Fell Foot for this years race - summer is finally here!

21 Bowlanders turned out for this one accompanied by the usual supporters and in the absence of "The Blackpool Missile" and "The Duddon Tumbler" it was looking like a good opportunity for the rest of the club to get some points. Danny Hope led from the off and was never troubled but behind him the club battle lines were being drawn. Sarah had a fantastic run coming in as First Lady, Dan Clark looked very handy and pushed Mark Chip close, Mike and Rich too-ed and fro-ed, Chris couldn't believe his luck when the trio infront failed to follow the flags allowing him to sneak infront, Mark Saunders looked happy to be off the tarmac, Declan got the better of Leigh this time, Pete Shanahan and Paul Johnson had a good tussle and both Richard Davies and Mike Gibbison had to get their elbows out in the finishing straight to stave off the opposition.

A real lung burster of a race and made even better by cheap pints in The Sun Inn and food ... all for £4!!! A big thanks to Mike and the rest of the Preston Harriers for all their work.

Club results were;

1

HOPE, Danny

Senior Men

00:28:40

2

MELLON, Richard

Veteran 40 Men

00:29:15

3

JOHNSON, Mike

Veteran 50 Men

00:29:22

5

CHIPPENDALE, Mark

Veteran 40 Men

00:30:01

6

CLARK, Daniel

Senior Men

00:30:11

10

READE, Chris

Veteran 40 Men

00:31:23

15

SAUNDERS, Mark

Senior Men

00:31:55

19

LUND, Graham

Senior Men

00:32:23

21

O'DUFFY, Declan

Veteran 50 Men

00:32:43

24

WARBURTON, Leigh

Veteran 50 Men

00:33:16

25

SARGINSON, Simon

Veteran 50 Men

00:33:19

28

IRVING, Mark

Senior Men

00:33:44

30

SARGINSON, Sarah

Veteran 40 Ladies

00:34:01

34

WHITAKER, Colin

Veteran 50 Men

00:34:34

39

SHANAHAN, Peter

Senior Men

00:35:38

40

JOHNSON, Paul

Veteran 50 Men

00:35:41

42

DAVIES, Richard

Veteran 50 Men

00:35:57

52

GIBBISON, Mike

Veteran 40 Men

00:36:49

65

TURNER, Shaun

Veteran 40 Men

00:38:28

70

HEATON, Alan

Veteran 50 Men

00:40:31

80

SIMPSON, Paul

Senior Men

00:42:31

88

TURNER, Ruth

Veteran 50 Ladies

00:50:45

Three races in and three different winners in the Mens, two in the Ladies - could this be the year for two new names on the trophys?

No piper, no yachts, just another fell race, no not just another fell race, the Duddon Fell Race. After some complex negotiations we managed to rendezvous in Richard’s car and got away reasonably on time. Small matter of a road closed at Quernmore, a one way ticket for Nick and a vomiting dog in Arnside to maybe collect on the way back was the build up - the dog didn’t materialise, thank goodness, too sick for Richard’s father to put on his worst enemy, but Richard,…. . Anyway we had our fair share of difficulties later on … more of that later …. Read on .

There was plenty of sunshine and discussion about whether helly’s were needed but the cool breeze meant most people took extras and wore them; in Rowena’s case there was mention of wearing her cagoule as well. She must have been motoring well as Nick described her running off into the distance coming off Swirl Hause as Nick ambled along having his return to fellrunning as a baptism of fire approach, slowing to a walk for the second half of the race. Crispin looked to have a good run coming in ahead of Rowena and Nick and looking a bit wiped out on the floor at the end. Lawrence had by this time set himself up as a hurdle on the finish line with camera in hand getting the low shot. Huw was there somewhere although I only saw him at the finish as were a couple of other Bowlanders. Must have been my retiring to my deckchair as the race set off that led to me missing who was there and problems later on distracting my attention from the usual socialising. I was decked in light weight T shirt and sun hat - quite a few people made comments about me not running so I assured them I would amble round the short course as best I could. I was however disappointed to see Dan Duxbury amongst the competition and one or two handy looking young Black Combe runners among the31 starters.

The short race goes right out of the fields to the back of the pub on a track then up to a quarry and then left along the top walls for an eternity from quarry to quarry before heading up to Dow Crag and then back via White Pike and Caw. A good run out and I was glad of Dan and the handy Black Comber to show me the way early on, but not so glad that they stayed ahead all the way to the finish, the second half of the plan didn’t seem to happen – it never does. The race was nice a fast pace and involved mostly running, quite a novelty for Lakeland races. I dropped off White Pike well and headed directly over to the wall. I knew about the higher lines but invariably get them wrong, so I kept low and headed across the col and direct up to Caw. Straying slightly right coming off then down to the Stile was good and I managed to hold on to my 3rd place and was £40 better off for it, (£20 of which was a 1st Vet prize).

Not being able to find Richards’ car key I decided to head back up to the hills between White Pike and Caw and watch the leaders of the long race come through. This I did and was surprised at the lines being taken. The most surprising was the 2 or 3 people who must have decided my spot sheltering between rocks was the optimum line and headed towards me. One who was repaid for his trouble by looking down a 30 foot crag!!, soz. So I wandered about trying not to attract any more runners to me. Richard and co took a medium high line. Mike was moving well some time behind and went down to the wall corner. Lee and others went up on a trod between the hills and on a trod across higher up to Caw. This reduces the climb but is more tricky and involves more potential to get the wrong summit. I’m not sure which is the quickest though. Each involves some climbing and descending before the final climb of Caw.

Anyway most of the party got back ok ! Nick was chirpy, Crispin was wiped out, Richard had been confused for Lee Warbi, so is he aging or is Lee looking young for his age, their dogs had had a great day out with Pauline and Helen. Mike and co seemed happy with ice creams, beer and Lawrence’s camera and then there was Rowena, … poor Rowena. After having a good run over 17 miles and 6000 feet of climbing she managed to upend herself half a mile from the finish and came in a real state. Just before the wall is very rough sharp rock and she must have thought this an appropriate spot to put in a bid for the Humpty Dumpty award, invented by the Reverend some time since. She must have hobbled back to the finish and was sat down and attended to. Another runner (who must also have been a doctor) washed her carefully with a hose pipe!!, cleaned her up and then put 3 or 4 patches on her head and both knees. A lump the size of a small egg was revealed when her hair was pulled back which was upsetting just to see. She walked to the car and got changed and looked abit jaded to say the least. Sometime later we observed her jogging back from the pub and she chatted happily on the way home so seems not to have any concussion etc. Richard duly dropped her off at A& E in Lancaster and she was going to arrange for Roger to come and collect her and the car when she’s been checked out for remnants of her glasses frame in her. I’m expecting some good shiners for the trip to Paddy’s Pole on Tuesday.

So barring Rowena’s adventures a good day was had by all, and I can recommend the not so short race as a good fast training run with some good hills thrown in. Its quite nice to get back not completely wiped out which is the usual situation after Duddon.

Sorry no photos or results, check the FRA website. Well done Richard for a sub 3 hour Duddon, 2hr 59.27 which finally beats Lee Dowthwaite’s club record of many years standing. Even with the new start place, which maybe saves 5 minutes its still a new record for us I reckon.

Another amazing weekend on the Isle of Jura with cool, sunny, dry conditions conducive to fast times on this classic race.

Having not been able to escape work on the Friday this week, Helen and I drove up to Tayvallich, kipped in the back of the car and caught the 8am fast rib across the Sound of Jura on a stunning, pancake flat morning – what a way to arrive at a race! The campsite was chokka but we soon found the Bowlanders - Leigh, Declan, Steve, Yiannis and Ian applying the suncream and generally enjoying the spectacle. As this was the 40th anniversary of the inaugural race, the organiser Graham had an A-list team to set the scene and after words from the first ever winner, Joss appeared and wished us all a great day on the mountains. The piper piped and we were off ... can there be a more atmospheric start to a race?

Once up the first few “pips” the Paps appear and the gruelling climbs begin but with the reasonably dry ground and cool breeze it was clear this was a day for good times so better get a shift on. I knew I was going well as I could still see Ian Holmes climbing ahead and picked off a couple of Carnethy runners too. The gnarly descents were rough but dry, such a contrast to last week and much more enjoyable. On the climb up the third Pap I’d gained on the small group with Tom Brunt and Stewart Whitlie infront and could still see the red vest of Ian up towards the top. A struggler was picked off, fading badly and suddenly there was Ian Roberts on top, water ready – what fantastic support! Now for the ace card ... got to get the line right off Beinn Shiantaidh. With the others all further left in the boulders I dropped straight down to the better scree and whizzed along the trod hoping to sneak below them ... but they popped down onto it just infront of me, shame. We were all close together on the climb of the last “pip” and I made the effort to catch them up on the run to 3 arch bridge, my nemesis from last week.

What I suspected would then happened, did and I watched first Tom disappear off (probably 6 minute mileing!) then Stewart respond to my vague threat. The support on the road was incredible but even Helen’s jellied snakes couldn’t revive my weary legs. The piper piped each runner individually as we crossed the line ... for over several hours! What an ending, what a day, what a race. I’d got a PB by over 9 minutes, Tom got 2nd V40 having zipped along the road, Stewart broke his previous V50 record by more than 6 minutes (and infront of Joss) but none of us had been close to the overall winner, Hector Haines in 3 hrs 18 minutes.

We lounged in the sunshine cheering everyone home and ate lots of cakes and pies before all cramming back into the distillery for the prizegiving. Then off to the pub to eat even more and catch up on the rest of the stories from the day. Steve was at his mischievous best and with the craic still going strong well past midnight I head for the tent.

Sunday morning was a slow start, but somehow Steve managed to get all the cyclists in his van for an early lift back to the mainland. We headed out for a long day to the other side of the island and some stunning views in the sunshine, swimming in the pools behind the paps. By the time we got back to Craighouse the campsite was virtually empty but we had another great night in the pub with Yiannis and Cath.

Monday morning was a reminder how lucky we were – the rain returned and with the waves bigger than the rib we crawled back to the mainland. Helen even managed to get one on the head despite being inside the canopy.

Penine had this one in their club champs this year and had 25 runners on the start line ... about 10% ot the field. I think many more Bowland folk would enjoy this one so maybe next year ......

After the epic adventure of the 2012 race (see news May 2012) could this years one live up to it?

Dave Ward and I had been recruited this year by Peter Foulds, skipper of the yacht Clockwork who'd won last years Class 2 "Racers" race and looking at the entry list it seemed that we'd be up against the same competition again in Bequia (Gordon and Stuart who we'd been neck and neck with last year) and Moby J (Adam Perry and Ian Phillips - 1st and 2nd at the Fellsman) but with the addition of Nunatak too (Paul Aitken and David White of Helm Hill). On paper Moby J had the running advantage but the Bequia lads were strong and Nunatak was a very similar speed sailing to Clockwork so it should be a close race. All of us would likely be chasing Obedient, the huge Class 1 catamaran (last years overall winners with Dan Gay and Donald Naylor running again) and Blue Chip (Sam Hesling and Mathew Sulivan) the racing trimaran. Having done the Fred Whitton the weekend before and not a huge amount of running this year, Wardy was looking a bit anxious but Peter had shown the previous year that his boat was more than capable of making up for time lost on the runs so long as we kept him in touch.

38 boats had their dingies ready on the shoreline, the sun was shining and we were off for the 4 mile "prologue" round Oban to split the field up. We finished in 6th I think not having pushed too hard and were soon rowed out and quickly picked up by Peter and his crew, both called Dave, so names weren't going to be a problem for me! It's a spectacular sight to see the whole fleet tacking out of the harbour and of course it's at that time that the Calmac ferry appears to cause even more chaos.

On the sail up the Sound of Mull, Clockwork soon caught Bequia and Moby J and we were deposited at a sunny Salen in 2nd place overall at about 5pm. With faster runners behind, we did our best to limit our losses and still hadn't been caught after the long road and track section out to Ben More. By the summit though, we'd been caught by the Bequia lads and Adam and Ian were not too far behind. It was a stunning evening though with all the isles floating on the haze but no time to dwell. As we feared, the faster pairs pulled away steadily once we hit the track and we had to hang on the the 6 or so miles of tarmac back to Salen. Both Bequia and Moby J were still in sight so we'd limited our losses as planned. Over to the sailors!

Knackered, Dave and I stuffed the pasta (made by crew Dave 1) down and tried to rest but they were sailing hard to catch up and down below was like lying inside a soundbox with all the banging and crashing. The wind picked up as we sailed into the night and it was clear the weather was on the turn. "Sleep" is not the correct term to use and as we picked up speed in the rising wind the noise only seemed to increase. It seemed like ages but in the darkness time warped I think and by 5am we were approaching Craighouse, again back up to 2nd place overall behind the catamaran Obedient. Peter and the Daves had again given us a good headstart on the run but we knew the Bequia lads were not too far behind. The weather though was grim and on the long row in to shore it was clear that the Paps were going to be a battle.

Clockwork in full flow, about to launch us into the dingy at Salen

The boggy run out sapped the legs but with no sight of the others we were doing ok until the drop off the first Pap when there they were! Gordon and Stuart looking strong, better get a move on. We knew from last year that they didn't know these tops as well as we did and with the lashing rain, strong wind and clag, was it possible for us to do a disappearing act? We tried, making it up over the 2nd Pap before them but we heard them below us on the climb up the third. Time for a gamble - neither of us fancied the rocky "Jura fell race" descent as it would be slippery hell so we chose to go for the longer, grassier "Holmes" route (although neither of us had done it before). We ran back down past the Bequia lads, hopefully confusing them a bit and then relied on instinct to find the route. We hit it spot on luckily and whooped down, anxiously looking back into the clag for our pursuers. The deer track down to 3 Arch Bridge was sheer bog hell but our route choice had given us the advantage and it wasn't until we were rowing back to Clockwork that we spied them running down the road. We were chuffed to have held 2nd place but now for the longest sail, through the roughest seas, great!

The next 12 hours or so were horrendous for the sailors - continuous icy rain driven by a northerly wind, then the wind disappeared as we tried to go round the Mull of Kintyre but the rain didn't, the sea got very lumpy, then the rain really lashed and so on. Wardy and I were mostly down below trying to eat, sleep and recover but I had to pop out on deck occasionally when the sickness appeared. Peter and the two Daves did an incredible job to stave off the hypothermia whilst managing to get Clockwork to plough her way through the conditions by continually tweaking both course and sails. As Saturday night fell, we were beating once more into the wind up the eastern side of Arran heading for Lamlash.

When we finally arrived at around 11:30pm only Obedient was in the bay so we knew that we had a decent headstart on Bequia, Moby J and the rest of our class. The run round the coast to Brodick felt slow and as we started up Goat Fell we were helped by the flags that were still out from the fell race during the day. We should have seen Obedient's runners but maybe they took a different route through the town? The clag set in properly about halfway up and by the top we were struggling to stay on the path despite the flags as our torches could not penetrate the gloom. With no sound of runners behind we reached the top but then on the rocky descent we lost the path, disorientated in the boulders that would lead us straight to the final checkpoint. An anxious 10 minutes were lost as we tracked back and forth in our puddles of light before we finally found it and headed for the lights of Brodick. We weren't quick but with every step the pressure decreased and it wasn't until we were descending into Lamlash that we passed the Bequia lads heading up. Clockwork had sailed the last leg about 4 hours faster somehow!

With no wind now, the crew Daves rowed us out of the bay and into the beginning of Sunday morning where the light winds found us. The secretive "code zero" was raised and we zipped along at 6 knots back to Troon, finishing 1st in our class and 2nd overall at about 9:30am. We'd run slower than last year but then the conditions on Jura and Arran were much worse and the rough crossings had meant we were less rested. Peter and the Daves had sailed Clockwork fantastically and had gained so much time on the competition on every leg.

Finishing up the pontoon in Troon to the applause and cheers from Obedient we were awarded a bottle of champagne, a long hot shower and a hearty scottish breakfast! Well deserved I thought. The winds though continued to drop on Sunday morning and those behind suffered a tortuous crossing from Arran with much rowing. It was not until mid afternoon I think that Bequia finally made it into Troon in 3rd place and even later when Moby J and Nunatak had a sprint finish, literally, up the pontoon 9 seconds apart after 50+ hours of competition. By that time we were on the motorway and in the end it felt like an anticlimax not being around to share our stories with them all. Till next year!

This is the second time I have travelled to this race when it has been a club championship counter. It would appear to be popular with Bowland and you can see why. Many members regularly train on Pendle on Tuesday evenings so this was just a Pendle run from a different starting point! While it is a bit further from Lancaster, I was surprised that no others ventured so far south for this race.

The evening was cool but dry so ideal for running. More runners than expected made for a congested start along the road with a slight change in route around the first field. Then it was a steady climb through the woods and up onto the fell for the steep bit. It was on this bit that I eyed Steve Cox's Bowland vest spurring me on to catch him but as I overtook he seemed to do so at the same time so it was almost at the summit before I finally overhauled him only for him to come past shortly after. There followed a short sharp descent and soon we were at the finish.

The best bit about this race though is the pasta meal which is provided after in the pub ensuring that people hang around and socialise. It was worth the wait and when we had satisfied ourselves, Geoff got on with the prize giving. He had thought the Fairfield race the previous Saturday would have kept numbers down but many present had also turned out at Fairfield. There were plenty of prizes and indeed it seemed that most people who had stayed ended up with something, particularly the ladies. However it became apparent that the ladies trophy was missing as last years winner had not made it, and who was this person? It transpires it is Emma Gregory who is presumably injured.

Well done to Steve Swarbrick, first back for Bowland in 4th place with Sean also in the top 10 and also now a V40. Declan and Leigh had another tussle with Declan coming out on top this time. Colin Whitaker was a couple of minutes ahead of me

compared to the 4 seconds at Fairfield. Well done to Rachel Somerville who got a prize as 5th lady in her first fell race. All in all nearly 1/5 of the field were Bowlanders so great turnout from the club.

Results from Saturday's Fairfield English Champs race; It was a tough run - cold, into the wind on the cllimb and a slippery descent, but Martin Hurst had another excellent run and is moving steadily through the ranks!

Time

Position

Richard Mellon

MV40

1.28.48

43

Martin Hurst

MSEN

1.35.20

87

Leigh Warburton

MV55

1.41.55

128

6th MV55

Declan O'Duffy

MV55

1.42.04

131

7th MV55

Steven Bamber

MV50

1.43.28

147

Christopher Reade

MV45

1.45.27

171

Ali Welsh

MV50

1.49.52

199

Colin Whitaker

MV50

1.53.56

230

Rowena Browne

LV50

1.54.00

231

5th LV50

Phil Martin

MV70

3.21.36

406

Our next Club Championship race is on TOMORROW ... MEARLEY CLOUGH - 7:15 start from the Calf's Head in Worston. See you there

Cool conditions made for ideal running in yesterdays 3 Peaks race - won again by Joe Symonds - and the race saw another good turnout for the club.

Martin Hurst showed good form in his first attempt at the race - sub 4 hrs and Mark Chip managed to avoid his infamous "Ingleborough bonk" this year to finish well. Both Steves were still smiling at the finish to complete the vets team.

As a bonus, Rich won the Tankard for the "first runner from a Lancashire club" ... so only beaten by 19 yorkies, cumbrians, scots, spaniards etc etc

A glorious, sunny, Lakeland day brought the crowds out on Saturday for Wynn and Steve's races. I counted about 20 Bowland vests running in the two races with seemingly the rest of the club out marshalling, organising or supporting.

Unfortunately we are unable to re-run the Fiendsdale race as i had hoped. Some of the cheques were banked last week the remainder are still in my possession. I will destroy those that have not been banked and send refund to those who's cheques have already been processed. Some entrants have already asked us to donate the entry fee to the mountain rescue team, who we normally give any proceeds to when the race is held. If anyone would like me to donate their entry fee to the mountain rescue please can send me an e_mail to the address below before Monday 8th April. I will publicise the amount raised on the Bowland Fell Runners website and post it on the forum.

Black Combe never disappoints and this year was no exception. Despite leaving Lancashire in glorious sunshine and finding the south lakes under a veil of high cloud (and Black Combe itself in cloud), the race itself was run in near perfect conditions. Ricky Lightfoot won the race, a full minute ahead of Rob Jebb (and his 52 minute 10 mile road race on Monday confirms the leg speed he has!!!). For Bowland Mike J shot off up the hill as usual but seemed to pay the price of his early speed towards the top allowing Chris to close the gap, but never by enough to trouble him. Leigh continued his fine form and powered through the field on the final climb, overtaking Mark Chip on the descent too. After an initial burst up the hill Rich was struggling and Graham steadily picked him off up the last climb before a strong finish through the cloud to the finish. For the ladies, Rowena saw off all the LV40s too to take the honours for both LV40 and LV50. Pie, peas, gravy and unlimited tea in the village hall is always the best way to finish off a race and this one in no exception before the long drive back to the Lancashire sun. Full results HERE but from the club;